CVE-2010-3659 in TYPO3
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in TYPO3 CMS 4.1.x before 4.1.14, 4.2.x before 4.2.13, 4.3.x before 4.3.4, and 4.4.x before 4.4.1 allow remote authenticated backend users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters to the extension manager, or unspecified parameters to unknown backend forms.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2010-3659 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting TYPO3 CMS versions across multiple release branches including 4.1.x before 4.1.14, 4.2.x before 4.2.13, 4.3.x before 4.3.4, and 4.4.x before 4.4.1. This security flaw specifically targets authenticated backend users who possess administrative privileges within the TYPO3 system, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this content management platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the TYPO3 backend interface, particularly within the extension manager and various backend forms. Attackers with valid backend credentials can exploit this weakness to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other administrators or end users who access the compromised TYPO3 installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to manipulate unspecified parameters within the extension management interface and backend forms, bypassing standard security controls designed to prevent malicious code injection. These XSS vulnerabilities fall under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector requires the adversary to already possess valid backend credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability that leverages existing administrative access to execute more dangerous payloads. The flaw typically manifests when user-supplied input is directly rendered back to the browser without proper sanitization or encoding, enabling attackers to inject script tags or other malicious HTML content that executes in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3659 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. Since the vulnerability affects the backend interface, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious extensions, or access sensitive administrative functions. This threat is particularly concerning because backend users often have elevated privileges and access to critical system components, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious scripts that execute in the context of legitimate administrative sessions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the available patches for their specific TYPO3 versions, as the fixes are designed to properly sanitize input parameters and prevent script injection in the extension manager and backend forms. Security measures should include regular patch management procedures, monitoring of backend access logs for suspicious parameter values, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing multi-factor authentication and least privilege access controls to minimize the impact should any user accounts become compromised. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where the potential for damage is significantly greater than in frontend user-facing components.